Cares Allowance

Carer’s Allowance is a benefit to help people who look after someone who is disabled. You do not have to be related to, or live with, the person you care for. The information in this section is a guide only. The Carer’s Allowance Unit – who will handle your claim – can answer any questions you may have about claiming and receiving Carer’s Allowance.

Who can get Carer’s Allowance?

You can claim Carer’s Allowance if you are aged 16 or over and spend at least 35 hours a week caring for a person getting Attendance Allowance, or Disability Living Allowance (at the middle or highest rate for personal care), or Constant Attendance Allowance (at or above the normal maximum rate with an Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit, or basic (full day) rate with a War Disablement Pension). If some else is also looking after the same person, only one of you can get Carer’s Allowance. If you are caring for more than one disabled person you cannot add together the hours you do. Carer’s Allowance can be claimed by more than one person in a household, such as a couple caring for each other. Carer’s Allowance is not affected by any savings you may have.

Who cannot get Carer’s Allowance?

Caring at weekends only

The ‘caring week’ runs from Sunday to Saturday. Therefore, you could still be entitled to Carer’s Allowance if you provide at least 35 hours of care but only over weekends. If you have come from, or live, abroad To be eligible, the following must apply: you must have been present in Great Britain (England, Scotland or Wales), Northern Ireland or the Isle of Man for at least 26 weeks in the 12 months prior to your date of claim you must have been present in Great Britain (England, Scotland or Wales), Northern Ireland or the Isle of Man for at least 26 weeks in the 12 months prior to your date of claim you must have been present in Great Britain (England, Scotland or Wales), Northern Ireland or the Isle of Man for at least 26 weeks in the 12 months prior to your date of claim you are not subject to immigration control Certain people can be treated as being present in Great Britain. For example, if you are a member of the Armed Forces, or living with a member of the Armed Forces, and you are based abroad, you are regarded as living in Great Britain.

Education

Education You cannot get Carer’s Allowance if: you are on a course of full-time education you are on holiday from a course of full-time education Full-time education means 21 hours or more of supervised study each week undertaken through a school, college, university or similar educational establishment. This includes time spent on related exercises, experiments, projects or examinations. The study need not be in the presence of a tutor. Work and earnings You cannot get Carer’s Allowance if you earn more than £84.00 a week after money has been taken off to allow for your expenses. Expenses that are allowed are for things like: some National Insurance (NI) contributions Income Tax half of any money you pay towards personal or occupational pension schemes other expenses you have to pay because they are a necessary part of your job After allowing for these things, you are allowed up to half the rest of the money you earn to help meet the cost of paying someone else (but not a close relative) to look after a child or children, or the person you look after, while you are at work. Residing or remaining in the UK You cannot get Carer’s Allowance if your right to reside or remain in the United Kingdom is subject to limitation or restriction by the Home Office.